US President Donald Trump has announced the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iran and declared that the United States will seek a 20 percent reimbursement fee on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The decision, announced via social media and television interviews, follows Tehran’s recent claims of closing the strategically vital waterway. Trump asserted that the U.S. military would ensure the strait remains open, acting as its security guarantor.

Under the proposed plan, which Trump indicated would begin immediately, the U.S. intends to recover security costs from international shipping vessels utilizing the passage. Characterizing the U.S. role as the “guardian of the strait,” the president argued that wealthy nations benefiting from the maritime security should contribute to the expenses. He also accused Iran of violating a previous bilateral agreement, justifying a firmer military and economic response.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps maintained that regular shipping traffic would only resume once U.S. military interventions in the region cease. Tehran had previously suspended passage through the strait following what it termed an unauthorized transit, stating that permits would only be reissued once regional stability is restored. Iranian officials warned that continued external interference could lead to broader disruptions in global energy markets.

The developments come amid a sharp escalation in hostilities, marked by heavy exchanges of missile and drone strikes between U.S. and Iranian forces. These clashes have driven global oil prices higher and cast significant doubt on the viability of an interim agreement signed last month. That deal had briefly reopened the strait and paused hostilities to allow for a 60-day negotiating window, which now appears increasingly fragile.